Early Voting In Texas Starts today! Here's some info:

[The Philosopher]

Early voting starts today in Texas. As a lover of elections, I just wanted to let you know that all you need to know as a voter is here at VoTexas.org.

However, as a volunteer for election duties as an election Judge, Judge Alternate, and clerk, I want to point a few things out:

1. You have the right to vote. You cannot be denied. You CAN be told you're at the wrong polling station, you CAN be told you're not registered to vote; but you CAN'T be told you cannot cast your vote.

2. If you aren't registered, if you're at the wrong polling station, or if something else is wrong, you will vote PROVISIONALLY. You will be given a paper ballot and upon filling it out you will put it into a secret envelope, seal it yourself, and it will be placed in a larger envelope where your information will be written upon. This ballot is then reviewed after the polling stations close, NOT by election Judges and clerks, but by the county voter administration. If they determine your vote is legal, they count it. If they determine it isn't legal, it is not counted. You can always follow up about it by calling that night, around an hour or two after the polls close.

3. Bring your voter's card. If you don't have one, you will need a photo ID (your driver's license). You will probably need to verify your address, but as long as you have a driver's license you're okay.

4. You have the right to have assistance. Generally, anyone over 18 can vote. I've seen people who can't talk, can't walk, and who can't even write their name come to the polling station. Guess what? They voted. All you need is a friend or family member. They will have to sign an oath. They can't vote for you, but they can do what you can't. If you have no one to help you, ask the clerk for help. It's what we're there for.

5. If you do not speak English, you can vote. Sometimes the Election Judges/clerks aren't bilingual (I'm not, unfortunately), but that doesn't mean you can't have help translating the ballot into a language you understand. This is not about immigration status or whether or not the US should be an English speaking country. It's about understanding the ballot as thoroughly as possible. You may be able to speak English, but that doesn't mean you'll understand English that's on the ballot. Trust me. Many elections native English speakers don't know what the hell the ballot's saying.

6. We may not influence your vote. We can't answer questions, we can even go as far as provide the morning paper (if we remember to get it) that talks about what's on the ballot. But we may not tell you who or what to vote for. That's your decision. Don't let it be anyone else's.

7. Remember most of all, the Election Judge, the Alternate Judge and the Clerks are VOLUNTEERS. Often this will be their first time. They may not be able to answer your question. They may make a mistake. Don't go insane on them and don't be rude. If you need something one and they can't do it, you can always call the voter administration office in your county. We have the number, we don't mind. But if you notice a lot of people in the polling station, have a little patience. You're not the only one voting today.

8. NO CELL PHONES. That can't be emphasized enough. Cell phones may not be used within the polling station. You probably even can't use it within a certain distance (any electronic device), but I can't recall.

9. Don't be loud, don't talk about politics, don't wear political t-shirts or buttons (or hats). Other people are voting. You're not allowed to influence their vote, disrupt their vote, or interfere with the polling station. You may sit with a friend or family member and quietly discuss the ballot. You may even bring in something to help you remember what to vote on. Just be quiet, be discrete about it. If you're not, just remember: the election Judge IS a judge for that day. They can arrest you. If you scoff at this and leave after being put under arrest, the cops will find you and you'll be charged with evading arrest.

10. If you're not sure where to vote, call your county voter administration office. Early voting often pools together polling stations, so it won't be where you might think. Calling ahead of time not only saves you time, but also makes sure your vote will be surely counted. While you're at it, you can also ask them if you're registered, clear up any problems, and even volunteer for future elections (we're always needing volunteers).

11. Your employer CAN'T keep you from voting and they can't punish you for voting. If your employer gives you problems, document it and call the voter administration's office. You have the right to vote. Don't let anyone stop you.

If you have any questions, feel free to PM me.

[ceile]

1. Thanks for the info!

K&R

[WolverineDG]

2. During early voting, the only way you can be told you're at the wrong polling station

is if you are in the wrong county. :) As long as you reside in the county you're wanting to vote in, you can. :)

dg

[The Philosopher]

3. Is there only one polling station?

I thought there were multiple, just fewer than on Election day. I'm not familiar with the early elections because I avoid it like the plague. My dad volunteered for one once and I decided to vote early that time. In my area, early election is held is a place smaller than a freaking public bathroom. It's insane. Ever since then, I've never cared for it. I can't imagine anyone in the north of our county having to drive two hours just to vote in that little space. The horror!

Or do you mean you can vote at any polling station in your county that day?

[gkhouston]

5. Any polling station in your county. The info may have been in your local paper

yesterday or today, or it should be on the county clerk's website. I usually vote early because it ends the phone calls and you never know when you're going to get sick or something else will come up.

on edit: I'd be surprised if there's only one polling station in your county for early voting.

[gkhouston]

6. self-delete. Will try to fix. n/t

[WolverineDG]

7. There should be more than one during early voting

but there are areas like the Valley where you have people doing business (working, shopping, etc) in different counties, & might think to vote in, say, McAllen (Hidalgo County) when they live in Harlingen (Willacy). The only way they can turn you away from the early voting site is if you don't live in that county. On Election Day, you *DO* have to show up to your precinct polling site, but during early voting, you can vote at any polling site in your county.

I've lived in Hidalgo, Bexar, Nueces, & Webb Counties & while each one runs early voting a bit differently, they all have multiple polling sites around the county where folks can vote, such as the courthouse, hospitals, the malls. When I lived in San Antonio, I once voted at HEB, figuring "Why not?"

Webb County even has a mobile unit that goes to the high schools, senior citizen centers, & nursing homes. In 2008, the hospital voting sites both reported patients being wheeled down to the polling sites to vote, one man on a gurney. I never thought of hospitals as being high-traffic areas, but it seemed like everyone in town goes through them at least once a week.

Sounds like your county needs to expand its early voting push. :)

dg

[Cognitive_Resonance]

4. Great post. K&R nt

[sonias]

8. Get out and vote Texas

Vote for Bill White and the whole Democratic ticket - all the way down the line. All the races are important!

Throw rick perry and his corrupt cronyism out!

:kick:

[w8liftinglady]

10. absolutely!

[w8liftinglady]

9. awesome post...I'm off now to vote...good luck,everyone!

[Scurrilous]

11. Thanks.

K & R :thumbsup:

[Melissa G]

12. Just did my part to Kick Perry out of the Governor's digs!

Thanks for the excellent post! If we all early vote, it leaves us more time for GOTV actions on Election Day!

[w8liftinglady]

13. Great point!